At least one person is dead and two children injured following a Tuesday afternoon crash in south suburban Channahon.

An initial investigation into the crash appears to show that the SUV was attempting to make a left turn from West Eames Street Street onto South Bell Road, said Channahon Police Chief Joe Pena.

The driver of the SUV apparently misjudged the distance between her and the tractor-trailer headed eastbound on West Eames Street.

The truck struck the passenger side of the SUV and forced the vehicle into the lamp post at the southeast corner of the intersection.

A witness, Bill Cooper, said the SUV ran a yellow light. Cooper said he immediately tried to help, cutting the seat belt that was restraining a 7-month-old girl's carseat.

His attention then turned to a 4-year-old child who was sitting in the middle of the backseat.

"Her legs were just so pinned in there, I just couldn't get her out. There was absolutely no way," said Cooper.

The female driver, believed to the the mother of the children, was dead on the scene, an official said.

The 4-year-old was airlifted to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital. The 7-month-old child was transported to Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet and is said to have non-life threatening injuries.

"I'm not a hero. I'm a parent. I did what any parent would do," said Cooper.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured and was said to be cooperating with investigators.

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